2015 BMW i8: Production Car Revealed, Detailed

The world's most attractive hybrid?

When BMW announced the “i” sub-brand and its focus on plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, the Munich-based automaker centered the initial product offensive around two models: the sensible i3 two-door hatchback and the sexy i8 2+2 sports coupe. While the former was fully unveiled earlier this year (after we drove a prototype), BMW waited until now and the Frankfurt auto show to fully reveal the i8.

Hiding in Plain Sight

That’s not to say BMW was keeping the i8 under lock and key in some remote facility for its entire gestation; not only were we treated to a couple of sets of spy photos, BMW let us drive the futuristic two-door early, albeit clad in blue and white camouflage that looked to have been created with a broken Spirograph set. Seeing it now with the camo removed, our initial impression of the prototype’s design—we called it “visually exotic”—goes double. The styling is a modern and swoopy ode to aerodynamics, complete with a radiator exhaust in the middle of the hood and wide-opening scissor doors. The vertically extended rear fenders, lateral extensions of the C-pillars, and air intakes located in front of the rear wheels are particularly purposeful details. The “black band” that traces a V on the hood and extends over the roof to the rear of the car is, according to BMW, a signature feature of the i brand.

The interior design is pure BMW, updated with a slightly futuristic feel, and all the requisite electronics are packed in. Among the gadgets are a nav system that can plan the most efficient route based on topography and other factors, iDrive infotainment, a rearview camera, and forward-collision warning with pedestrian recognition. The passenger cell is constructed primarily of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, which contributes to the i8’s relatively low estimated weight of 3300 pounds. BMW also touts the eco-friendliness of the cabin materials, including the tanning process for the leather (it uses olive-leaf extract) and the mixing of recycled plastic and wool to create the headliner, floor mats, and other bits. Oh, and the key for the car is partially made from a ‘biopolymer’ derived from castor beans, although that isn’t the most precious thing about the i8. No, that would be the names for the two optional trim levels, which have been dubbed the Giga and Tera Worlds. They offer different combinations of colors and materials.

Multi-Power

The i8’s bones consist of the so-called “LifeDrive Architecture,” the passenger cell being the “Life” module and the chassis and drivetrain components making up the “Drive” component. The plug-in hybrid powertrain utilizes a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Output is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Electric power comes from an i8-specific synchronous electric motor producing 129 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque; this is sent to the front wheels through a two-speed automatic. Total output is rated at 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, which should be enough to launch the i8 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Five drive modes are available, including Sport, Eco Pro, and Comfort in hybrid mode and Eco Pro and Comfort in electric mode.

A liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack with a useable capacity of 5 kWh supplies the juice, and can be recharged via a 110-volt outlet in 3.5 hours. Using a higher-voltage BMW charging station, which is included and installed for buyers, cuts the time to 1.5 hours, and allows you to communicate with the car via smartphone app to monitor and control charging, pre-set the cabin temperature, and more.

BMW is calling for 94 mpg on the optimistic European cycle, but we tentatively place real-world economy—which won’t prioritize electric-only operation as do the Euro and EPA tests—in the low to mid 40-mpg range. Running solely on electricity, the i8 is good for approximately 22 miles at speeds up to 75 mph. Top speed is stated to be 155 mph. The i8 is slated to arrive in U.S. showrooms in the spring of 2014, which gives you some time to make sure your check for $135,925 doesn’t bounce.

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